8 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
September 3, 1892. 
A PLANT FOR AMATEURS 
The accompanying illustration, prepared from a 
photograph taken in a small greenhouse situa¬ 
ted in a little garden in a densely-populated 
neighbourhood in south-west London, admir¬ 
ably serves to show how much better it is for 
amateurs to grow a few specially suitable plants, 
and to give them room to grow freely, than to fill 
their little houses with all sorts and conditions of 
things, and yet never have anything fit to look at. 
The little house in question is unheated, but is made 
the most of by its owner, and except for a month or 
two in mid-winter gives an immense amount of plea¬ 
sure. The central object is a favourite Hydrangea 
grown on for four or five years from a single stemmed 
market plant bought off a street vendor, and the 
plants surrounding it are Palms and common British 
Ferns. 
As a matter of course the Hydrangea is nearly 
hardy or quite so in the more favoured and maritime 
parts of Britain ; but in London gardens it is liable 
to get more or less injured in winter, thus preventing 
it from flowering the following year if it does not get 
killed outright. With the protection of a greenhouse 
it can be grown to perfection and flowered as a 
specimen 'plant or shrub of any size. Small plants 
only, as a rule, are permissible in the amateur’s 
greenhouse, which is usually a multum in fiarvo of all 
sorts of things. The plant shown in the illustration 
v’as 3 ft. high, and about 4 ft. through, and was grown 
naturally without staking or tying, so that really 
more than half of the flowers are hidden. It had 
been pretty hard cut back in winter, thus causing 
the buds to break forth with great vigour, producing 
strong branches and large panicles of bloom. The 
Ferns and Palms surrounding the plant hide much 
of its individuality; but they serve to show what 
class of plants may be grown together. 
The Palms and Ferns are removed in October to 
make way for Chrysanthemums, which in turn give 
way to spring flowering bulbs, and when they have 
played their part the Ferns are ready to begin 
growth again, the Hydrangea is brought out of its 
corner, hard pruned, repotted, and set in motion 
again. For several months its handsome head of 
large deep green leaves are very grateful to look 
upon.— IWe should be glad if other amateurs would 
send us photographs of their favourites.—E d .1 
-- 
BRIGHTON FLOWER 
SHOW. 
The exhibition of the Brighton and Sussex " New ” 
Horticultural and Mutual Improvement Society was 
held on Tuesday and Wednesday last, and proved in 
every respect an immense success. Over 700 entries 
were received, and every class was contested, some 
of them, particularly among fruit and vegetables, had 
from six to twenty-four competitors. All of the pro¬ 
duce was of first-class quality ; and the competitors 
represented a very large area, as was seen by the 
prize list. For a miscellaneous group, arranged for 
effect, not to exceed 100 square feet, Mr. Peel, gar¬ 
dener to Miss Todd, Sidford Lodge, Shirley, South¬ 
ampton, was 1st, with a pretty group of Asparagus, 
Francoas, Tuberoses, Begonias, Ferns, Crotons, Or¬ 
chids, Palms, Aralias, Vallotas, etc, etc., that were 
arranged in a very effective manner. 2nd, Mr. J. 
Turner, gardener to Sir Greville Smyth, Wick Hall, 
Furze Hill; 3rd, Mr. G. Miles, Dyke Road, Brigh¬ 
ton. Messrs. Shuttleworth & Co , Peckham Rye, 
were awarded an extra prize. For a miscellaneous 
group, not exceeding 60 square feet, Mr. Meachin, 
gardener to Mrs. Armstrong, Woodslee, Brighton, 
came in 1st, with a very pretty and neatly arranged 
collection ; 2nd, Mr. A. Fry, gardener to C. W. Catt, 
Esq., Middle Street, Brighton. 
The 1st prize for a group of Ferns arranged for 
effect went to Mr. G. Miles ; this was a splendid 
collection, having a very prettily arranged archway 
with a deep recess as centre, while the outsides were 
covered with various Ferns; 2nd, Messrs. Wm. 
Miles & Co., Church Road, Brighton; 3rd, Mr. 
Jupp, gardener to G. Boulton, Esq., Eastbourne. 
The best table of plants arranged for quality and 
effect came from Mr. Jupp; and Messrs. E. D. 
Shuttleworth & Co., Albert Nursery, Peckham Rye, 
were 2nd. For a table of Begonias, single or double, 
Mr. C. Murrell, gardener to Mrs. Macdonald, Manor 
House, Preston, came in 1st; Mr. Baker, gardener to 
F. H. Brady, Esq., Burgess Hill, being 2nd. 
Twelve stove and greenhouse plants, six foliage 
and six flowering : 1st, J. Warren, Esq., Handcross 
Park, Crawley, with Croton Prince of Wales, C. 
Princeps (grand), C. Evansianus, Kentia Belmoreana, 
K. Australis, Dipladenia amabilis, Allamanda 
Hendersoni, Erica Aitoniana turgida, E. A. rubra, 
Lapageria rosea, and L. splendens, all in first class 
condition and cultivation. 2nd, Mr. T. Portnell, 
gardener to Sir A. Lamb, Bart., Battle, also a really 
grand lot. 3rd, Mr. Meachin, gardener to Mrs. Arm¬ 
strong, Woodslee, Brighton. Six stove and green¬ 
house plants: 1st, Mr. Jupp, with very showy and 
well grown plants. Six Crotons, not less than three 
varieties : 1st, J. Warren, Esq , Handcross, Crawley, 
with C. Chelsoni, C. Mooreana, C. Sunset (very 
bright and good), C. Nelsoni, C. undulatus, and C. 
Williamsii, also very grand in colour ; 2nd, Messrs. 
E. D. Shuttleworth & Co. The first prize for six 
Dracaenas, coloured three varieties in 6 in. pots, also 
went to Handcross Park ; and that for six Palms in 
8 in. pots to Messrs. Wm. Miles & Co.; 2nd,C.W. Catt, 
Esq , Middle Street, Brighton; 3rd, E. D. Shuttle- 
worth & Co., Peckham Rye, who had also the best 
six Ferns, distinct. Mr. G. Duncan, gardener to C 
T. Lucas, Esq , Warnham Court, had the best four 
Orchids, and Mr. T. Portnell the best six Ericas. 
Cut flowers were abundant and of good quality 
throughout, and among the leading winners, with 
Gladioli and Dahlias, were Messrs. J. Cheal & Sons, 
Crawley, and Mr. Humphries, of Chippenham. The 
fruit classes were also very good. For a collection 
Mr. G. Reynolds, Gunnersbury Park, Acton, was 
1st with Grapes Muscat of Alexandria and Gros 
Maroc, Clapp’s Favourite Pear, Brown Turkey Fig, 
La Grosse Sucree Strawberry (good), Scarlet Flesh 
Melon, and Sea Eagle Peach, all of the finest 
quality; 2nd, Mr. G. F. Sage, Ham House, Rich¬ 
mond; 3rd, Mr. R. Potter, gardener to Sir M. W. 
Collett, Sevenoaks. Mr. Reynolds had also the best 
black and white Grapes ; Mr. J. Spottiswood, 
Queen’s Park, Brighton, being 2nd ; and Mr. Glen, 
Worth Park, Crawley, 3rd, with the former ; and 
Mr. J. Coleman, gardener to — Henderson, Esq., 
Horsham, 2nd ; and Mr. T. Glen 3rd with the latter. 
Vegetables were also particularly good and numerous 
Several special prizes were given for vegetables and 
salads, and called out some strong and close com¬ 
petition. Brighton has not of late years supported a 
show well, but this first venture of the " new ” society 
has been in every way thoroughly satisfactory. 
--i—- 
GARDENERS AT FALK¬ 
LAND PARK. 
The members of the Ealing and District Gardeners’ 
Mutual Improvement Society had their fourth 
annual outing on Thursday of last week, when they 
paid a visit to Falkland Park, South Norwood Hill, 
the residence of Thos. McMeekin, Esq. They had a 
fine day and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The 
visitors were somewhat surprised to see the beautiful 
and extensive place which is being made there. 
Much of the work is now completed, and although it 
may be years before the full beauty of the place is 
realised, there is much of interest to be seen now 
while the grounds are in their summer beauty. The 
visitors were shown over the grounds by Mr. A. 
Wright (one of their old members), who explained 
briefly the work being carried out. 
The plant houses, next to the splendid views to be 
obtained from various points of the ground, were, 
perhaps, most admired, the long corridor being at the 
present time interesting and gay with flowers. It is 
seldom Solanum jasminoides is to be seen in such 
fine condition, Lapagerias, red and white ; Plumbago, 
blue and white ; several passion flowers, Eccremo- 
carpus Scaber, Heliotrope, Fuchsias, Abutilons, 
Pelargoniums, Kadsura japonica, Cobea scandens 
var., &c., all helped to make a fine display, and the 
plants were all in fine health. In the plant stove 
Anthurium Andreanum, A. chrystallinum, A.Waroc- 
queanum, were very fine. The edging of Panicum 
hanging over the side stages through which Cissus 
discolor was creeping freely, made a good border 
to an interesting lot of plants. The Orchids were 
looking in good condition, although there were not 
many in flower. In the new Holland plant house 
a good collection of young healthy plants was 
noted, and the Azaleas gave promise of plenty of 
flower in their season. 
After inspecting the gardens an adjournment was 
made to the Swan Hotel, where a substantial luncheon 
was partaken of. After which a hearty, vote of 
thanks was accorded to Mr. McMeekin for his kind¬ 
ness in allowing the visitors the privilege of visiting 
Falkland Park. The party subsequently visited the 
Crystal Palace and inspected the flower beds there, 
which are now at their best, and stayed to see the 
fireworks in the evening, which brought to a close a 
pleasantly spent day. 
new § mm piiants . 
1 he undermentioned flowers, plants and fruits were 
exhibited at the Begonia, Apricot and Plum confer¬ 
ence, held in the gardens of the Royal Horticultural 
Society, Chiswick, on the 23rd and 24th ult., when 
the various certificates were accorded them. 
Begonia Marie Louise.— Amongst the varieties 
of the B. Rex type recently sent out none are more 
generally attractive and pretty than Marie Louise. 
The leaves are roundly heartshaped, oblique, olive 
green in the centre and at the margin, while a broad 
bright green zone occupies a large area in a median 
position of the leaf. The whole upper surface is 
irregularly blotched with white, the blotches near 
the margin being the smallest. It was exhibited by 
Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, and received a 
First Class Certificate. 
Nephrolepis davallioides multiceps.— In most 
respects this may be compared to the well known N. 
d. furcans, but instead of a shallow and simple fork 
at the apex of the fronds, the latter have a deep fork 
at the apex and each of the forks is again more or 
less deeply forked.forming a large loose tassel. First- 
class Certificate. 
Pteris tremula variegata. — The stipes or stalk 
of the frond is here very short and the frond itself 
three times pinnate at the base. Tbe centre of each 
pinna and pinnule is creamy yellow with lines of the 
same colour running towards the edges. First-class 
Certificate. 
PterisRegin.e — Here again the stalks of the fronds 
are short, in fact the lamina in some cases almost 
rests upon the soil. The pinnae are long and much 
, pointed with only one pair of pinnules on the larger 
ones. They are creamy yellow with green veins. 
First-class Certificate. 
Pteris Regina cristata.— The plants of this 
variety are very moderate in size, with every pinna 
crested at the apex, otherwise the plant resembles 
the last-named in being variegated. The crests, 
curiously enough, are green, at least in the young 
state, while the rest of the frond is variegated. First- 
class Certificate. 
Adiantum elegantissimum. — The fronds of this 
Maidenhair are 18 in. long, with slender, glaucous- 
black stalks. The pinnules are wedge-shaped, small 
and irregular in size, with the terminal one largest. 
The plant has an elegant appearance, owing to the 
elongated and slender character of the stalks of the 
numerous divisions. Award of Merit. This as well 
as the previous four Ferns, were exhibited by Mr. 
H. B. May, Dyson's Lane Nurseries, Upper Edmon¬ 
ton. 
Asparagus deflexus— The main branches of this 
species are 3 ft. to 5 ft. long, and pendant, while the 
ultimate branches, popularly but erroneously spoken 
of as leaves, are awl-shaped, curved and half an inch 
long. Clearly the best way to treat this plant is to 
grow it in baskets suspended from the roof of a 
greenhouse or conservatory. It was shown by Mr. 
J. Hudson, gardener to the Messrs, de Rothschild, 
Gunnersbury House, Acton, and received a First-class 
Certificate. 
Begonia Madame Alamangy. — Here again we 
have a variety of the Rex type, and very distinct in 
its markings. The leaves are obliquely heart-shaped, 
lobed and grey with a very narrow olive-green 
margin, and a blotch in the centre of the same hue ; 
the latter runs out with lobes or fingers into the grey, 
giving the whole a characteristic appearance. A 
First-class Certificate was awarded it when shown 
by W. Marshall, Esq.. Auchinraith, Bexley. 
Tillia vulgaris platyphylla.— Some branches 
of a Lime tree shown under the above name by Mr. 
G. Wythes, gardener to the Duke of Northumber¬ 
land, Syon House, Brentford, were notable for the 
huge size of their leaves. The latter are ovate, 
long-pointed, of a dark green above and grey beneath, 
measuring 8 in. to 11 in. long, exclusive of the 
petiole, and 5 in. to 6.J in. in width. A First-class 
Certificate was awarded the variety. 
Athyrium Filix-fcemina setigerum. — Being one 
of the Victoria? group, the fronds of this Fern have 
the usual cruciate or cross-shaped arrangement of 
